Henry,
In my opinion, had Beckham stayed on, this game would have replaced as the best game ever in the history of the World Cup, (and probably of soccer), from the Italy - Germany battle in the semifinals in 1970. (Mexico).
Even so, I do not remember being so tense watching a game from the edge of the seat, and with such intensity, in a long, long time.
A few comments:
The Press should lay off Beckham, yes, he made a mistake, and yes it was the world cup, but the press should not make him the escape goat of the defeat. It is a sport where mistakes are made and while pointing them out has value etc., the press should not make mince meat out of whatever players may be involved. It only goes to make the situation with soccer fanimals, all that much worse!
Remember Colombia ? Say no more.
Hats of to Hoddle for supporting his player, Hoddle is indeed a very good team leader that if he stays as head trainer, England may be the team to beat in the next WC.
Special mention to Owens, he is an incredible player very skillful and incredibly fast, he outran the Argentinean defense every time ha had the opportunity, and in addition to being an excellent striker, he can dribble the ball, play without it, an unsettle an entire defense line. In my opinion, England is in the process of building a real world champion team.
A capable leader (Hoddle), and a team of skillful players that will have experienced behind. Now, do not let the bullshit arrogance get into them, as it will bring the team down eventually.
I will say it again. Soccer is a game not only of skill in dribbling, passing, shooting, etc., those individual skills are certainly important, but in addition, it is a game of heart and passion, it is part of the combination that takes to win.
England showed this yesterday.
Perhaps in many games while it may appear that skill-wise the better teams are taken out, the team that plays with their heart out and will to win, may also be capable of defeating the more skilled one.
What we saw yesterday was a match between two teams that had all the ingredients above, perhaps in different proportions.... It is unfortunate that it had to be decided with the damned penalties, at the same time after 120 minutes plus.... what else is there, coin toss?..... I guess I will take the penalties.
I believe the referee did a fair job, perhaps with the exception of the penalty against Argentina, I did not see much contact between the Argentinean defender and Owens, but that is in the past now.
The English goal (would have been the third), was invalidated correctly as Roa was charged by Shearer. Before this play, there was at least another one in which Shearer pushed Roa, in this instance without consequences.
As far as I understand the rule, you can not charge the goalie at all, particularly in the area where this happened.
The referee looked as though he was in control, very important in a game such as this one where tempers can and will turn a game like this into a violent carnage of injuries and possible fights if the players sense a weak or indecisive referee. The red card to Beckham was well justified, this bullshit of attempting to hit another player while the play is stopped not only is arrogant but it is stupid, as he did it in front of the referee !!
The referee had no choice! if he lets this one go it is the cue for the players to start kicking mercilessly, as they assume it will be allowed. I doubt that we want to watch another version of Ice Hockey.
If Beckham felt that he was being roughed on, then he should play rough, no ill intent, but rough, same medicine to the Argentinean offender. I felt the referee was cool and collected at all times.
The one man difference changed the game (unfortunately), what was surprising to me, was the fact that Argentina did not capitalize on this, I was disappointed in Batistuta and L¢pez at their lack of finishing capabilities, and worse yet with Crespo who he looked handicapped, surely the Argentina team must have a better replacement to Batistuta ! This fact also proved almost terminal during the penalties as Crespo ALSO missed his penalty shot....
I was very impressed with Ortega, as I said earlier, if Ortega had someone like Owens, or Shearer, Hern ndez, or Bergkamp, etc. as team mate, I would know now who would be the next Champion.
I believe that the only possible cloud for the English team is the ever-present potential for arrogance by some members of the team, in this instance I see the action from Beckham as the result of such behavior.
All too often I see that player "A" or player "B" are allowed to get away with outrageous behaviors on an/or off the field, only because they are "so good". I do not agree with that at all, if the "star" of the team cannot be disciplined, then he does not deserve to be in the team period, in the end it will be detrimental to the long range benefit of the team and of the sport.
his is yet another characteristic I like about Owen, he does not seem to have this "quality".
As for some comments in re: the Dutch team, (not yours Henry, I believe they are Goldfinger's), implying that they have an assured pass over Argentina..... keep it up, I like that presumption.... (in the opponent's team).
For one, I have not seen this Dutch team perform as a champion for the entire 90 minutes of a game, let alone a possible 120 minutes plus... We soon shall see.
A headline to laugh at:
The Eternal Bureaucrat
Sports Minister Tony Banks, ruefully contemplating this third cruel twist of fate, said:
"We will have to open a National Penalty Academy".
However, he was not clear if he was proposing such Academy in order to improve the performance of soccer penalty shots, or that they would institute an award for the best death penalty performances... he, he, he....
Z. |
